xi, 324 pages : 26 cm

Describes the physical and geological formation of caves throughout the world, gives details of cave hydrology, discusses cave ecosystems and the environmental needs of caves and the terrain above them, and explains what caves can teach us about the past

Includes bibliographical references and index

THE CAVE SYSTEM AND KARST: What is karst? -- What is a cave? -- Where are the deepest and longest caves? -- Caves as geomorphic systems -- CAVE HYDROLOGY: Basic concepts in karst drainage systems -- Karst aquifers -- Porosity and permeability of karstic rocks -- Zonation of the karst drainage system -- Defining the catchment of a cave -- Hydraulics of groundwater flow in karst -- The role of salinity -- Evolution of the karst drainage system -- Analysis of karst drainage systems -- Structure and function of karst drainage systems -- Karst hydrology of the Mammoth Cave Plateau, Kentucky -- PROCESSES OF CAVE DEVELOPMENT: Karst rocks -- Processes of dissolution of karst rocks -- Rock control and cave morphology -- The development of common caves -- The formation of maze caves -- Lava tubes, weathering caves and pseudokarst -- Origin of caves: an overview -- Geological control and the world’s longest cave -- CAVE FORMATIONS: Carbonates -- Important non-carbonate minerals -- Other minerals -- Cave formations of the Nullarbor Plain, Australia -- CAVE SEDIMENTS: Clastic sediment types -- Processes of sedimentation -- Diagenesis of cave sediments -- Stratigraphy and its interpretation -- Sediment transport and particle size -- Provenance studies -- Caves and flood history in the Kimberleys, Australia -- DATING CAVE DEPOSITS: The importance of dating cave deposits -- Dating techniques and the Quaternary timescale -- Timing the Ice Ages -- CAVE DEPOSITS AND PAST CLIMATES: Basic principles and tests for reliability -- The last glacial-interglacial temperature record -- Carbon isotopes and environmental change -- Stalagmite fluorescence and sunspot cycles -- CAVE ECOLOGY: Life zones within caves -- The cave as a habitat -- Classification of cave life and its function -- Adaptations and modifications to life in darkness -- Origin and dispersal of cave-dwelling animals -- Threats to cave fauna -- Conservation of biological diversity in caves -- The impact of cavers on cave fauna -- Unravelling the secrets of the Carrai Bat Cave -- CAVE MANAGEMENT: History of cave use and exploitation -- Impacts of visitors and infrastructure on tourist caves -- The radon risk in caves -- Cave carrying capacity and alternative management concepts -- Cave classification and its applications -- Cave interpretation and its use in management -- Management of the Glow-Worm Cave, Waitomo, New Zealand -- CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT IN KARST: Basic concepts in karst management -- Defining karst catchments -- Vegetation and caves -- Accelerated soil loss in karst -- Agricultural impacts -- Fire management in karst -- Guidelines for karst management -- Conservation issues in karst -- Rehabilitation and restoration of caves -- International cooperation and liaison -- Restoring a limestone ecosystem in Tasmania’s World Heritage area

THE CAVE SYSTEM AND KARST: What is karst? -- What is a cave? -- Where are the deepest and longest caves? -- Caves as geomorphic systems -- CAVE HYDROLOGY: Basic concepts in karst drainage systems -- Karst aquifers -- Porosity and permeability of karstic rocks -- Zonation of the karst drainage system -- Defining the catchment of a cave -- Hydraulics of groundwater flow in karst -- The role of salinity -- Evolution of the karst drainage system -- Analysis of karst drainage systems -- Structure and function of karst drainage systems -- Karst hydrology of the Mammoth Cave Plateau, Kentucky -- PROCESSES OF CAVE DEVELOPMENT: Karst rocks -- Processes of dissolution of karst rocks -- Rock control and cave morphology -- The development of common caves -- The formation of maze caves -- Lava tubes, weathering caves and pseudokarst -- Origin of caves: an overview -- Geological control and the world’s longest cave -- CAVE FORMATIONS: Carbonates -- Important non-carbonate minerals -- Other minerals -- Cave formations of the Nullarbor Plain, Australia -- CAVE SEDIMENTS: Clastic sediment types -- Processes of sedimentation -- Diagenesis of cave sediments -- Stratigraphy and its interpretation -- Sediment transport and particle size -- Provenance studies -- Caves and flood history in the Kimberleys, Australia -- DATING CAVE DEPOSITS: The importance of dating cave deposits -- Dating techniques and the Quaternary timescale -- Timing the Ice Ages -- CAVE DEPOSITS AND PAST CLIMATES: Basic principles and tests for reliability -- The last glacial-interglacial temperature record -- Carbon isotopes and environmental change -- Stalagmite fluorescence and sunspot cycles -- CAVE ECOLOGY: Life zones within caves -- The cave as a habitat -- Classification of cave life and its function -- Adaptations and modifications to life in darkness -- Origin and dispersal of cave-dwelling animals -- Threats to cave fauna -- Conservation of biological diversity in caves -- The impact of cavers on cave fauna -- Unravelling the secrets of the Carrai Bat Cave -- CAVE MANAGEMENT: History of cave use and exploitation -- Impacts of visitors and infrastructure on tourist caves -- The radon risk in caves -- Cave carrying capacity and alternative management concepts -- Cave classification and its applications -- Cave interpretation and its use in management -- Management of the Glow-Worm Cave, Waitomo, New Zealand -- CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT IN KARST: Basic concepts in karst management -- Defining karst catchments -- Vegetation and caves -- Accelerated soil loss in karst -- Agricultural impacts -- Fire management in karst -- Guidelines for karst management -- Conservation issues in karst -- Rehabilitation and restoration of caves -- International cooperation and liaison -- Restoring a limestone ecosystem in Tasmania’s World Heritage area

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